I gladly give this book a 5-star rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Embracing Hope, Grace, and Joy in Everyday Life

A Temple Trip and a Treasured Bookstore Tradition

The book cover of AFTER ALL WE CAN DO by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of taking my son’s youth group to the temple to participate in proxy baptisms. These sacred experiences are always spiritually grounding, and on our way home, we stopped by the LDS bookstore. That stop has become a tradition. There’s something joyful about stopping at the store to see what they have that’s new since we were last there. I love flipping through new releases and walking out with a stack of books that feel like spiritual companions. My son loves to get the little image cards of Christ to plaster all over the bulletin board in his room, tuck in his wallet, scriptures, car, or friend’s bags.

This trip I found After All We Can Do by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. The title immediately stood out and the fact that I love to pick up new hardback books by the apostles made this a must buy.

That phrase from 2 Nephi 25:23 has shaped many lessons and late-night ponderings. I knew this book belonged on my nightstand.

“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” — 2 Nephi 25:23

"A neatly stacked pile of books on a dark wooden surface against a light-colored wall. The spines of the books face outward, showcasing their titles and authors. The books include *The Wednesday Letters* and *The Wedding Letters* by Wright, *After All We Can Do* by Uchtdorf, *Words of Jesus* by Condie, *Madly Yours* and *Engaging Emma* by Adams, *What the Other Three Don’t Know* by Hyde, *Left Behind* by Emmaline Hoffmeister, *Swimming in a Sea of Stars* by Wright, *Borrow My Heart* by Kasie West, and *Sunkissed* by Kasie West. A white hand-drawn arrow points to the book *After All We Can Do* by Uchtdorf, emphasizing it. The books appear to be a mix of LDS Christian literature, romance, and contemporary fiction."

What Is the Book, After All We Can Do, About?

In After All We Can Do: Embracing Hope, Grace, and Joy, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf—a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—shares a powerful message centered on Jesus Christ. Through his signature warmth and clarity, Elder Uchtdorf explores:

The sustaining power of hope
The gift and depth of divine grace
The source of lasting joy in discipleship

Far from being a reprint of his past conference talks, this book offers fresh, personal insight and comforting wisdom drawn from his life as a refugee, a pilot, a Church leader, and a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Beyond theological insights, After All We Can Do offers practical advice on how to strengthen faith, develop a deeper reliance on grace, and cultivate joy in daily life. Uchtdorf invites readers to:

Trust in God’s timing and plan, even when life feels uncertain.
Let go of perfectionism and embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Replace fear with faith by seeking a closer relationship with the Savior.
Serve and uplift others, recognizing that grace extends beyond personal salvation to community and connection.

Writing Style and Readability

Uchtdorf’s writing is engaging, accessible, and filled with the warmth and encouragement that characterize his general conference talks. His tone is gentle yet firm, guiding readers toward a greater understanding of gospel principles without overwhelming them with doctrinal complexity. The book is structured in a way that allows for reflection, making it ideal for both personal study and group discussion.

Themes That Make a Difference

🔹 Hope in the Face of Trials

Elder Uchtdorf opens up about his early life in post-war Germany and the strength that faith brought to him and his family. He reminds us that hope is not wishful thinking—it is trust in God’s promises. Even when life feels uncertain, the Lord is near.

🔹 Grace as a Gift

The heart of the book focuses on what grace really means. Elder Uchtdorf lovingly corrects a common misunderstanding of the verse, “after all we can do.” He explains that it doesn’t mean grace comes after perfection—instead, grace is what lifts and transforms us in spite of all we can do.

“Grace is not the prize for the worthy; it is the divine help of the loving.” — Elder Uchtdorf

🔹 Joy in Christ

Through aviation metaphors and heartfelt stories, Uchtdorf reminds readers that joy comes from trusting the Lord, loving others, and living true to gospel principles. It’s not about earning approval—it’s about resting in Christ’s love.

A book titled After All We Can Do by Dieter F. Uchtdorf rests on a soft, light cream plush blanket. The book cover features a gradient sky with hues of blue, pink, and orange. The book is partially draped over a cozy, textured mustard-yellow throw blanket with white fringe, which is casually arranged. The scene gives a warm, inviting atmosphere, suggesting a peaceful reading moment.

What I Loved Most

One of the most impactful takeaways for me—and for many other readers—is how clearly Elder Uchtdorf redefines that famous phrase from 2 Nephi 25:23. For years, I felt the pressure of doing “all I could do” as if grace depended on my effort.

But through scriptural context, Elder Uchtdorf shifts that burden. He shows that the verse is meant to highlight Christ’s power, not our performance.

This subtle but profound insight has stayed with me ever since. It changes how I view grace, repentance, and my daily walk with the Savior.

Why You’ll Want to Read After All We Can Do

Whether you’re:

A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A new convert searching for understanding
A Christian friend curious about our beliefs
Or simply someone longing for peace in a weary world…

… this book is a balm for the soul.

Readers across Deseret Book and Goodreads say the same thing: this book feels like a spiritual hug. It’s short enough to read in a weekend but rich enough to revisit often. Many readers, including myself, find themselves returning to its pages again and again.

“This is not a book you read once. It’s one you return to again and again.” — Reader Review

A close-up of an open book showing Chapter 4, titled Living in Grace and Hope. A person's left hand holds the top left corner of the page. The text on the page discusses discipleship, faith, repentance, and the message of Jesus Christ. The page has transparent clous decorating the top. The book rests on a soft, mustard-yellow throw blanket with white fringe, which is draped over a plush light gray surface. The cozy setting suggests a peaceful reading moment.

An open book displays the introduction page and a black-and-white photograph of a young Dieter F. Uchtdorf at age eleven, holding a book, with a caption stating that this was after his family fled from East Germany. The introduction text discusses World War II and his family's escape to East Germany. A person's left hand, wearing a gold wedding ring, gently holds the bottom of the page. The book rests on a mustard-yellow throw blanket with white fringe, adding a cozy and warm atmosphere to the scene.

My Book Review Final Thoughts

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A 5-Star Message of Grace and Joy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I give After All We Can Do a wholehearted five stars.

It reminded me that perfection is not the goal—connection with Christ is. Grace is not something we must earn but a gift to be received. And joy is always available to those who seek Jesus, even amid uncertainty.

This book is more than words on a page—it’s a loving nudge toward Christ and a reminder that, truly, God is always working for your good.

After All We Can Do is a spiritually enriching book that provides fresh insights into the nature of grace, hope, and joy. Whether you are struggling with self-doubt, seeking to deepen your relationship with Christ, or simply looking for uplifting messages, this book offers profound wisdom that speaks to the heart.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us that God’s love is infinite, His grace is sufficient, and joy is found in our trust in Him. This book is a must-read for those who want to better understand how to navigate life’s challenges with faith and gratitude. It serves as a powerful testimony of Christ’s role in our lives and a reminder that we are never alone on our journey back to Him.

For those who cherish Uchtdorf’s messages, After All We Can Do will not disappoint—it is a book to be read, reread, and shared with others.

So whether you’re buying books after a temple trip like I was, or just looking for something that will bless your day, I invite you to grab a copy, read it slowly, and let it lift you. Share it with a friend. Discuss it in Relief Society. Keep it near your scriptures. And most of all, let it deepen your relationship with the Savior.

📚 Book Details:

My Rating: 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: After All We Can Do: Embracing Hope, Grace, and Joy
Author: Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Publication Date: December 2, 2024
Publisher Page Count (includes front and back matter): 144 pages
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-639934003
eBook ISBN: 978-1-649333674

After All We Can Do Book Description:

With the trademark warmth and incisive perspective of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, After All We Can Do considers how we can live a life full of hope, grace, and joy through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. Sharing stories from his own life, timely interpretations and teachings from scripture, and the wisdom of decades of discipleship, Elder Uchtdorf instills in each of us the faith to believe that God’s grace really is sufficient for our every need.

In After All We Can Do, Elder Uchtdorf writes to help us better understand hope and grace and their relationship to joy—all centered on the source of all good things in this life, Jesus Christ. As Elder Uchtdorf teaches, Christ and His Atonement really are the answer to all of our questions: How do we retain hope amid difficult life situations? How can we overcome apathy and a loss of joy? What does the scriptural expression “all we can do” really mean? (2 Nephi 25:23).

This book will help you to feel the powerful truth that God’s perfect plan is always working for your ultimate good. In Elder Uchtdorf’s words, “God yearns for you to come to Him. His mercy and grace are sufficient to heal your wounds, inspire you to move forward, cleanse you of sin, strengthen you for trials to come, and bless you with hope, wisdom, and His peace.”

About Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf was called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2008. He served in that position until January 2018. He has served as a General Authority since April 1994. Prior to his calling as a General Authority, Elder Uchtdorf was the senior vice president of flight operations and chief pilot of Lufthansa German Airlines. He grew up in Zwickau, Germany, where his family joined the Church in 1947. He and his wife, Harriet Reich Uchtdorf, are the parents of two children and have six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.